1994 Honda RVF 400R (NC35)

Make Model	Honda RVF 400R (NC35)
Year	1994
Engine	Four stroke 90°V-four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	399 cc / 24.3 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	55 x 42 mm
Valve Clearance	Intake - 0.15 mm / Exhaust 0.24
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	11.3:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Engine Oil	SAE 10W-40
Oil Capacity	2.4 Litres
Induction	4 x 34mm Keihin Carburetors
Ignition	Digitalized full transistor ignition
Spark Plug	NGK ER9EH
Starting	Electric
Max Power	61 hp / 45 kW @ 12500 rpm
Max Torque	35 Nm / 3.7 kgf-m @ 10000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, cable operated
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Twin-spar aluminum
Front Suspension	41mm inverted forks: preload and rebound damping
Fork oil Per Rod	390 ml / SAE 7,5W
Rear Suspension	Rising-rate monoshock. pre-load and rebound damping
Front Brakes	2 x 269mm 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/60 R17
Rear Tyre	150/60 R17
Rake	24°
Trail	96 mm / 3.7 in
Dimensions	Height 1075 mm / 42.3 in Length 1985 mm / 78.1 in
Wheelbase	1345 mm / 53.0 in
Seat Height	780 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight	165 kg / 363.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	16 Litres / 3.9 gal
Consumption Average	42 mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	12.6 sec / 109 mph
Top Speed	219 km/h / 136.2 mph

The V-Four 400cc. It's a hot, hot bike! It looks just like RVF750 (RC45) except the headlights are smaller and shaped more like the Factory RVF Suzuka 8-hour Endurance bike. Fully adjustable upside down forks are featured even though the CBR400RR still sports conventional forks. The "claimed" max horse power and torque are reduced due to a notice from department of traffic in Japan*.

Finally switched wheels from the RC30 like 17" front 18" rear to the now standard 17" at both ends. Like the VFR400R(NC30), the RVF400(NC35) is known for great handling and turning quicker than other 400s. It sports the latest Nissin 4 piston calipers (black colored). Graphics are just like the RC45 - mostly red and white with some purple and black on the fairing sides. Black number plates and wheels round out the look.

The third incarnation of the VFR400 (the NC30) is an RC30 lookalike, and has turned out to be arguably the best 400cc sports bike. It had the best 400cc engine and by far the best looks, and has been the biggest seller. It was 'upgraded' to an RVF (NC35) in 1994 , echoing the lines of the RC45. In truth, it had a styling makeover, upside-down forks and a ram-air system but was virtually the same machine with virtually identical power and performance figures. The little VFR has proved itself to be popular by virtue of its brilliance. The review says it all:

You don't have to ride the NC30 to know that it is right. Everything about it just looks right. The scaled-down version of the RC30 is perfect in it proportions and in its detail. The reduction in size makes it neater still.

The engine gives the impression of that of a larger machine. Peak torque is at 12,000rpm, but it doesn't drop off, giving a long, flexible spread of peak power. It will hold any top gear cruise speed up to 100mph, will pull wide open in top from 2,000rpm and runs without a hiccup to 15,000rpm.

Asked whether the quality of engineering is worth £6,000, the answer would be yes. The build quality is nearly as good as the RC30.

The VFR400 was featured in Bike magazine's secondhand buyer's guide, in the October 2001 issue. These are some of the things they said:

It doesn't matter who you are or what sort of bike you ride you can't fail to be impressed by the NC30. It is quite simply the best sportsbike under 600cc, with the possible exception of the Aprilia RS250. Beautifully engineered, beautifully built and beautifully finished, it exudes such quality that you wonder how they built it at the price.

Reliable? Absolutely, assuming that it's been properly maintained. The charging system is a bit suspect, but that's it. Check the trueness of the wheels - they distort easily.
[Note: Regulator/rectifiers can fail, just like the bigger VFRs, that's all].

Competition: There isn't any, really. The NC35 is even more gorgeous (and expensive), an utter work of art. The CBR400 is a contender. It's another wonderful miniature road burner with superlative handling and a tough engine, but it just doesn't have the quality feel that you get with the NC30.